Chapter 914: The Deceptive Master

Leaving the hotel, Chen Shi was still in shock. The phenomenon of elderly people being scammed was nothing new, but for someone as wealthy as Old Master Lu, the level of deceit was catastrophic.

“Why would he fall for something like this?” Lin Dongxue asked. “Usually, elderly people get scammed over money. Old Master Lu holds nearly ten percent of Long’an’s wealth. Could it be he’s after immortality?”

“That’s an age-old desire,” Chen Shi replied. “This con artist must be something else to be able to fool Old Master Lu so completely. Mr. Wang, do you know his background?”

Wang Haitao sighed deeply, “The Pure Yellow Master was born in 1894 to a shipping magnate. As a child, he witnessed his father being killed by a gang, which led him to ponder the impermanence of life. He renounced his vast inheritance to seek spiritual enlightenment in Tibet, where he claimed to encounter the Buddha. The Buddha supposedly took him on a journey through the eighteen layers of hell, showing him the karmic retributions of the world. He achieved enlightenment and was on the verge of becoming a Buddha, but he asked the Buddha if his teachings could save the world. The Buddha replied that only self-salvation was possible. Thus, he abandoned his path to Buddhahood and turned to Taoism in search of a way to save mankind. Despite being over a hundred years old, he claims to have lived through eighteen lifetimes via soul cultivation. In these lifetimes, he has been a beggar, a gambling master, a soldier fighting invaders, and a lover to a beautiful fox spirit. Eventually, he found the true path on Mount Emei, where he transcended mortal needs and could ascend to the heavens. His divine status is said to surpass minor deities like the Barefoot Immortal or Sun Wukong, being on par with the Great White Planet.”

“In 1994, he allegedly dueled another master in Sichuan, causing floods in central China. Riding a seven-colored cloud, he supposedly rescued 1,437 people. However, thirteen individuals were beyond saving, leading him to descend into hell to negotiate their release with Yama, the king of hell. Yama claimed their time was up. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t save them, which he considered a karmic debt. Therefore, he remains on earth, continuing to save people to atone for this debt.”

“That’s quite the story!” Chen Shi commented. “Even fantasy novels aren’t this imaginative.”

“Sounds like something a pick-up artist would tell to seduce women,” Lin Dongxue added.

“It’s all true,” Wang Haitao said weakly, clearly not believing his own words.

“And this master’s real name?” Chen Shi asked.

“He was born with the surname Liao.”

“Liao Pure Yellow? Born in 1894? I’ll see what I can find out.”

“Mr. Chen,” Wang Haitao grabbed Chen Shi’s hand, “You must bring the item before the Mid-Autumn Festival for my father’s longevity ceremony. I’m counting on you.”

Seeing the desperation in Wang Haitao’s eyes, Chen Shi felt his genuine plea for help. “I’ll do my best.”

After leaving Wang Haitao, KK and Sun Zhen kept discussing the matter. Chen Shi walked with Lin Dongxue, who remarked, “Wang Haitao is truly pitiful. With a father like that, this con artist must have wreaked havoc on his family.”

“Old Master Lu’s eccentricities are nothing new.”

As they parted ways, Chen Shi asked KK and Sun Zhen to investigate the con artist. KK responded, “Piece of cake. By the way, where is Yueyue studying now? Why hasn’t she visited?”

“She’s at the police academy.”

“The police academy?” KK was shocked. “That clever girl, you sent her to become a cop?”

“Would you rather she learned to steal?”

“Well, it’s good,” KK laughed, “We deal with the police often now. Maybe we’ll be recruited one day.”

“You could consider it. Start by catching up on middle school coursework and passing the entrance exam.”

“No thanks!” KK scratched his head. “Hey, don’t forget to invite us to your wedding. We’ll give you and your wife a big red envelope.”

“Got it. See you in a few days!”

As they drove away, Chen Shi took a moment to secure the check in an evidence bag. Lin Dongxue asked, “For fingerprints?”

“Yes, it could be a lead.”

“You don’t actually plan to give them Zhou Xiao’s murder weapon, do you?”

“Zhou Xiao’s weapon? It was a cheap fruit knife with a price tag still on it. Knowing Old Master Lu, he’d accuse me of fooling him. I’ll buy a fancy decorative knife from a street vendor.”

“Need some chicken blood for authenticity?”

“No need. Even murderers clean their knives… What a conman, using a killer as bait. I wonder what he was thinking. Scammers are jumping on trends now too.”

“Maybe he thinks the more bizarre and creepy it sounds, the more convincing it is, like some Westerners holding black masses to worship Satan.”

Chen Shi recalled similar stories of infamous criminals’ relics being auctioned after court cases. Some used them as talismans or protection, akin to eating blood-stained steamed buns.

Zhou Xiao’s capture was a national sensation. Multiple publishers contacted Long’an police for interviews, and a dubious museum wanted to purchase his artifacts. Chen Shi declined them all, despising the glorification of murderers. Killers are not mythical beings; they’re just evil people.

Arriving at Lin Dongxue’s rented place, they found the movers waiting. Chen Shi enlisted their help to move her belongings. The burly men quickly loaded the furniture onto a truck, transported it to Chen Shi’s home, and set it up inside.

To avoid getting in the workers’ way, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue stood by the door. She glanced at Gu You’s apartment, saying, “Zhou Xiao refused to say anything. Ms. Gu’s whereabouts are still unknown.”

“We’ll find her,” Chen Shi reassured, though he secretly hoped Gu You’s body wouldn’t be found, or at least not in a recognizable state, sparing Peng Si-jue from seeing her in such a condition.

Thinking of the victims and Zhou Xiao’s altar made Chen Shi furious. It was a blatant desecration. He was determined to take down this fraudulent con artist.

Once the movers finished, the house felt more crowded with the new furniture. Their cat explored the new territory excitedly. Lin Dongxue, holding the cat, said, “It’s cozier now, with three of us and the cat. Feels more like home.”

“Want to buy a bigger place?” Chen Shi suggested.

“This is fine. It’s close to work and holds many memories,” Lin Dongxue smiled, and they shared a kiss.

“But I’d like a bigger kitchen.”

“You’re not a chauffeur with flexible hours anymore. How often will you cook?”

“Do you think Yueyue would prefer living alone or staying with us when she grows up? Though she’s not our biological daughter…”

“Ask her! Be subtle. Don’t make her feel like we’re pushing her out because I’m here.”

“With her personality, direct is the most subtle approach.”

Checking the time, Chen Shi noted they had finished early. “What should we do before our wedding night?”

“Think about what to do after,” Lin Dongxue smiled seductively, pulling him into the bedroom.